Education

For those considering vaping, it can be a daunting first-time experience. One can easily be overwhelmed with too much information. We at Puckerfish like to keep things simple. All of our employees have been trained to teach you everything from battery safety to building your own coils. That said, here are some of the bullet points.

What's the deal with all these numbers?!?!

510, 808, KR808, 401, 402, 403, 306... on and on and on. These numbers simply refer to the style of batteries and atomizers on the market. Puckerfish, as a standard, sells only 510-compatible batteries and atomizers. Don't worry about accidentally purchasing a piece that doesn't fit on another piece.

What's the difference between e-cigarettes and your products?

Some people assume electronic cigarettes are only the kind that resemble traditional cigarettes ( otherwise known as "analogs"). Any device that allows you to vaporize a nicotine juice (e-juice) is considered an e-cigarette.

So how does it work and what do I need to get started?

Keeping it very simple, there are really two main parts to vaping: the battery and the atomizer. The battery has a button that allows you to turn it on and off. When it's on, hold the button to vaporize the juice in the tank (atomizer). Inhale and enjoy.

What's the difference between an atomizer, a cartomizer, a clearomizer and a tank?

Because people love using fancy lingo, they apply multiple terms to the same thing. They're all serving the same purpose: they hold the e-juice. (Hey, have we told you about our awesome juices yet? They're amazing!) When the battery is triggered, it heats the coil in the atomizer / cartomizer / clearomizer / tank and vaporizes the liquid.

To be completely honest, there are slight differences between these items. Tanks generally hold more fluid and some are more complex than others. Atomizers and Cartomizers also heat the liquid in slightly different ways. Some people prefer one style over the next and that, my friends, is the beauty of choice.

Again, we like to keep things simple and all our general stock batteries and tanks are compatible.

Drip tip?

The tip that's attached on top of the atomizer. Put your mouth over it and pucker up. Inhale.

Why don't you sell the kind that look like traditional cigarettes?

Well, because they kind of suck. If you've ever tried one of those e-cigarettes one can buy at convenience stores and big-box stores, you may or may not have been impressed. You will get better flavor with the option of customizing your nicotine strength and vapor production.

What are the benefits, if any, to vaping?

The throat hit. It's utterly shocking how much it feels like a cigarette, but without the thousands of excessive chemicals, the buildup of tar in one's lungs, and the terrible odor that comes with it. Bonus, this just tastes better.

This is still too complicated!

Don't fret! Stop into one of our store locations or send us questions on any of our social media. But allow us to be clear: We're not out to get people to try this for the sake of trying this. We're here for the options, the choice and freedom.

Why don't you sell liquids in higher strength than 24mg?

We've done a ton of research and testing. Even the heaviest smoker could simply take a couple extra puffs of our maximum strength and be satisfied if they needed to. (Well, everything is always a matter of personal opinion.) However, we performed blind nicotine-strength tests that proved to us that anything over 24mg nicotine content wasn't really beneficial.

How safe is vaping?

Nicotine is a powerful stimulant drug, much like caffeine. Unfortunately, the most common way of delivering that drug into one's system (usually) means shortening their life span. We don't know yet (yes, FDA, we're totally aware) what the effects of long-term vaping will be until we get decades of data.

Are there any real immediate dangers?

Actually, yes. Nicotine, in concentrated form, can be dangerous to one's health if consumed in large doses (so DO NOT drink the liquid) or even absorbed into the skin in large doses. It's one other reason we dilute our brand to a maximum strength of 2.4% (24mg/ml).

BE SAFE! Always keep liquid bottles securely capped (child-proof caps), and always away from the reach of children and pets. You should never smoke in bed, and frankly, you should never vape in bed, either. You risk rolling over, breaking the atomizer and getting liquid soaked into your skin.